@Allen Parker real estate is not as liquid as the stock market, so not a good analogy.Also, you're forgetting that the US has a serious housing shortage.The question is, finding areas with shortages that have affordable entry points compared to rents.

Talk with a local portfolio lender who knows your market.

Where do I locate hard money lenders in the state of Arkansas or near by and would experience be a huge problem when it comes to creating the partnership?

Hi Juliet,Most lenders only offer HELOCS on primary residence.

Several things to contribute here: 1) Private Lenders with no credit experience emerge doing down payment and 100%/High LTV financing at the end of every cycle, 2) they're among the first to loose their shirts in every downturn, 3) although someone termed this type of lending "gator", it's not new, 4) the guy that coined it didn't get into real estate untill well after the last crash, 5) he has no real credit background or experience (he's never been a lender), 6) Google the guy's name and "looses professional license in AZ" to see what pops up, and finally 7) he's really effective at telling people what they want to hear, filling their heads full of hopes and dreams, getting them to buy his training, and his minios generally won't want to hear what a real, seasoned lending vet will try to tell them.

Next time I will sub out more of the work... though I still love to paint and so some of the minor work:)Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

We are wondering what advice we can learn from experienced investors, agents, lenders, etc. here on the BP network and to know if we are even in a position where we can comfortably get started. 

Unfortunately we would not be able to proceed as per guidelines lenders can only provide financing to those currently in the United States.”I’m currently military working at an international organization.

I enjoy networking with private lenders and ending deals to and from

You will need to get a local, rockstar Realtor, contractor, lender, and property manager.https://www.biggerpockets.com/...I'm a Columbus, OH fan.